Chapter 4:
"Why don't you apply to teach Defence against the Dark Arts?" Ron suggested throwing a snuff box that had a suspicious odour about it into one of the bin bags grimacing.
"Because that job is jinxed, I'd only be there for a year." Eddie laughed "Plus I wouldn't be allowed to take the position, with the Ministry working to deny that anything is wrong, they don't think that you need to be taught any serious defence spells. So putting an ex-auror in the role would not be to their liking"
"But your name's Dumbledore, surely he could pull some strings – he's the headmaster." Harry pointed out
"Subtle way of finding out – yes he is my great, great, great uncle; and he is headmaster but the Ministry of Magic are trying to get more and more involved in Hogwarts. They don't trust Uncle Albus because he believes Voldemort is back and is supporting you. Fudge has got it into his head that he is trying to take over and get rid of the Minister – and a perfect way would be to influence the young minds he has access to. So they now have some level of sway where the school is concerned. But don't worry, Dumbledore is still Headmaster." Eddie explained and assured them
"You would make a pretty cool professor though!" Sirius announced, fighting with a small statue of a troll that was waging war on his hand with its miniature club.
"No Remus made a good professor, I'd insist on military style defence training, in light of the threats we could be facing in the future" Eddie insisted seriously.
"Eddie can I ask you something?" Hermione began, Ron rolled his eyes at Harry and Sirius assuming she was going to ask something academic. The older woman inclined her head indicating that she should continue. "Are you muggle born – if Mrs Black insulted you like that you must have had muggle relations, even though your name is Dumbledore."
"Yes I am, although the Dumbledore's are a famous and ancient magical family they also carry a peculiar trait. Every few generations they produce a squib, someone who is born to magical parents but is themselves not empowered with magic. That is what my father is and he married a muggle, naturally they are both fully aware of the wizarding world and to some extent are involved in it. We should technically be a pure blood family, but we are not. I'm sure you've faced the discrimination that exists to muggle borns, I had it too, although when your uncle is the headmaster people have to be a little more careful!" Eddie acknowledged. "Having muggle relatives does not mean that you cannot be brilliant in the wizarding world, it just means you may face some resistance from others."
"Like Malfoy!" Ron snarled
"What Lucius' son?" Eddie questioned, looking at Sirius, Hermione nodded, "They are the family from hell, they pride themselves on being pure blood, their principles are mixed up. But they have enough shameful secrets and dark sheep to fill a field. Ignore anything he says, their time will be short lived, people like that have a sell by date!" Eddie emphasised, squeezing Hermione's arm. She knew how it felt to be on the receiving end, but at least she had some protection in her family name. "Sirius for goodness sake stop playing with that troll – come here!" She exclaimed noticing that he still hadn't managed to extract the statue from his hand, with a wave of her wand the troll stilled and dropped to the floor, she scooped him up and threw him with the rest of the trinkets to be disposed of.
After another two hours of sorting and cleaning the group had almost finished reclaiming the ground floor rooms they had been tasked with. Just before they finished for the day Sirius yelled for joy and waved something he had found in a dresser in the air triumphantly. Everyone turned to look and him and Eddie laughed
"Is that..."
"Oh yes Miss Dumbledore this is the banner!" Sirius beamed, his eyes filled with childlike mischief.
"Well make your mother proud and wave it around. Hermione shield your eyes!" Eddie giggled, Sirius put his wand to the end of the material and set it on fire before waving it above his head like a flag, until the flames got close to his hand and he threw it into the fireplace. They cheered when the last embers burnt out. "You know you are such a disappointment as a son"
"You have no idea how happy I am to hear that!" Sirius laughed from his stomach, grabbing Eddie around the waist and twirling her round the room. Harry, Ron and Hermione watched on smiling, with some disbelief at the lightened, happy version of Sirius Black, supposed mass murderer.
"I can't believe that it's time for you to go back to school already!" Sirius stated with sadness in his eyes.
"Another year, but I'll be back here for the holidays and I'll write." Harry assured his godfather.
"I know you will, and I want to hear all of your news. I wish I could be back at Hogwarts again. Now listen there are members of the Order at Hogwarts and they will be watching over you just in case, if you ever need anything you go to them." He paused letting it sink in "Oh and Eddie sends her best wishes to all of you, but she couldn't be here to see you off!"
Before leaving Harry turned back to Sirius one last time, he smiled and leant forward to whisper in his ear
"Ask Eddie out!"
"I think I'm a bit old to be asking young ladies out on a date, especially given that we were supposed to be getting married at one point. Besides where would I take her, to the third floor?" Sirius grinned at his godson's advice.
"You know what I mean, plus you're not that old and she's only a year younger than you. She makes you happy and you still love her!" Harry winked before turning away.
